ABOUT GREGG COHEN
NYC Office Leasing Specialist
Meet Gregg Cohen
Twenty years on Wall Street in sales and trading earned me, what I believe, is a unique set of skills. In those days, ‘service’ was only ever at an executive level, so the need for a thorough analysis of complex situations was inevitably time-critical.
The time pressure was no different when I later launched a boutique financial research firm. Experience builds on experience, as they say. Especially when it’s learned through mistakes: one of my steeper learning curves, and a reason I’m where I am today, is that as a new business owner I knew nothing about the art of negotiating an office lease.
And it is an Art, I understand that now.
Gregg
Working with Gregg Cohen
A PARTNERSHIP FROM START TO FINISH
Manhattan offers 450 million square feet of office space.
When it comes time to find a space, navigating your way through through this much square footage can be overwhelming.
I do the heavy lifting by researching and evaluating every facet of the market, to identify and present you with what I call the ‘best available value.’
I take the time to understand your needs and objectives (financially and culturally) and understand how you do business today versus how you want to in the future. This allows me to act as your eyes and ears in the market. My goal for our partnership is to negotiate the best terms, help you increase your bottom line, and give you back your time to focus on running your business.
EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE
I live by a golden rule: “Even when you think you have a good deal, chances are, you can do better.”
Renewing a lease? You’ll want protection against substantial rent escalations. Negotiating a for a new space? Is it up to code or are those costs snuck into your lease for you to absorb? Planning for growth? You’ll want flexibility and termination clauses in your lease. Need cash flow? Let’s add a clause to reduce your security deposit over time if you’re in good standing. Exorbitant real estate taxes? I’ll obtain the correct base year for your company’s real estate taxes.
When I negotiate a lease, I go through it with a fine tooth comb. This means, you get to keep more money in your pocket AND a satisfying lease that works for your business,
PROTECTING YOUR INTEREST
It may sound simplistic, but I make decisions based on what will make you successful. And that’s it.
I analyze the current & future growth of your business. I will only identify buildings that match your company’s culture. And I will only suggest a space if it offers genuine business value.
Different landlords have different financial motivations. This matters when looking out for potential lease pitfalls like restrictive clauses that may hamper your firms’ future growth; we’ll ensure you have the flexibility to grow within a building when you need access to more space.
THE MIGHT, AND SMARTS, OF NORMAN BOBROW & CO.
I joined Cresa for what I see as two great strengths.
Firstly, they are the world’s largest tenant representative commercial real estate firm and have over 30 years of experience in the Manhattan office leasing market. (You learn deeply what makes landlords tick in that time.)
Secondly, Cresa only represent tenants, so we negotiate in our clients’ best interests. As a tenant this means you always have someone in your corner.
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While we had begun the discussion with the landlord and their representatives, Gregg made the benefits of having our own representation crystal clear.
/ GEOFFREY S. HALL, SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR – MANCHESTER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT /